Factual error: Throughout the series the captains of ships are generally portrayed as holding the rank of captain, regardless of the class and size of the ship they command. In reality the rank of the CO of a frigate would most likely be a Lt.Cmdr or Cmdr whereas the CO of a amphibious ship or a carrier would be a Captain. On these larger ships the XO usually holds the same rank as the CO, but obeys all orders given by him. However unlike in JAG the CAG takes most orders from the carrier group commander (2 star), not the CO.
JAG (1995)
1 factual error in show generally
To Russia with Love (1) - S3-E24
Character mistake: While talking with Falcon, Harm mentions the "green book" Falcon stole that listed all of the American POWs transferred to Russia after the Vietnam War. But when Harm originally found the book in "Ghost Ship", its cover was yellow.
Dr. Donald Mallard: You sure you won't have dinner with me tonight, Viv?
Special Agent Vivian Blackadder: Oh, Ducky, you're disgusting!
Dr. Donald Mallard: The pursuit of sex is an affirmation of life, Vivian. That's why older men are so lascivious.
Special Agent Vivian Blackadder: I'm talking about your lack of respect for the dead.
Dr. Donald Mallard: I have the utmost respect for the dead.
Special Agent Vivian Blackadder: Well, that's obvious from the way you speak to them.
Dr. Donald Mallard: If you were dead, wouldn't it be nice if you were spoken to, rather than about?
Trivia: The new neighbor moving into Harm's apartment building is played by Nanci Chambers, who is married to David James Elliott, who portrays Harm. Chambers later had a larger supporting role as Lt. Loren Singer, an ambitious lawyer in the JAG office.
Question: In the episodes where Harm flies F-14s, what does it mean when pilots are told to "call the ball"?
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Chosen answer: When landing on an aircraft carrier, a pilot "calls the ball" by confirming to the landing signal officer (LSO) that they have the carrier, and more specifically its landing guidance systems in sight. Carriers use a Fresnel lens system which is a light only visible at a certain angle, so if a pilot sees the "ball" they are at the correct altitude and glide slope for landing.
Sierra1 ★